The Amazing Spider-Man The Amazing Spider-Man (First Reactions: Critics, Fans) (Spoiler Alert) - - Part 11

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[PSYLENTGuardian]

I'm surprised Peter Travers counted it as fresh since Roger Ebert usually counts 2.5/5 as rotten.

That's 'cause the only thing Peter Travers really didn't like was the fact that it was a reboot that came too soon. I'm just glad he counted it as Fresh.

 

[Ashes2Phoenix]

Josh Wilding has given the film 4/5 stars on CBM.

 

[Joe_Kickass]

Josh Wilding has given the film 4/5 stars on CBM.

I thought his review wasn't until tomorrow?

 

[AbsractPo3tic]

There's a review up at unleash the fanboy and one up at that other site we aren't allowed to mention. Both very favorable for anyone who wants to check them and before anyone asks, no they won't be added to rotten tomatoes

 

[SpiderFX]

There wasn't significant changes to the iconography of Spider-Man's origin. Seriously, your expectations were waaaaay too high.

This is Spider-Man. They SHOULD be high. I'm just saying,regardless of the short time between this film and the last, it could have given us everything Rami's films lacked. From the reviews, it sounds like Stone and Garfield are perfect,but it's the overall story that suffers. That shouldn't happen with a character so rich in mythology.

Hell, they could have cut the budget in half, spent less time on it, and under different circumstances, this could have blown people away.

 

[AbsractPo3tic]

Josh Wilding has given the film 4/5 stars on CBM.

Damn you for beating me to it

 

[Joe_Kickass]

There's a review up at unleash the fanboy and one up at that other site we aren't allowed to mention. Both very favorable for anyone who wants to check them and before anyone asks, no they won't be added to rotten tomatoes

I was really hoping the RT score would be higher at this point.
Hopefully it'll start going up tomorrow if reviews really start pouring in.
Because it's been pretty stationary today.

 

[Ashes2Phoenix]

I thought his review wasn't until tomorrow?

Go and have a look for yourself

 

[Ashes2Phoenix]

Damn you for beating me to it

Lol, I am fast !

 

[pickleweed]

Spoiler

Physically trying to get involved is the BIG difference.

Spoiler

from the outside looking in (which most of us are right now) its simply more helpful new yorkers who magically show up. not saying it'll play the same, but thats my fear because the other one was such an issue for me.

 

[Joe_Kickass]

This is Spider-Man. They SHOULD be high. I'm just saying,regardless of the short time between this film and the last, it could have given us everything Rami's films lacked. From the reviews, it sounds like Stone and Garfield are perfect,but it's the overall story that suffers. That shouldn't happen with a character so rich in mythology.

Hell, they could have cut the budget in half, spent less time on it, and under different circumstances, this could have blown people away.

They made this movie within like 2 years. It's a reboot, with an origin story.
You MUST have known that. Unless you've kept yourself in the dark almost completely.

 

[Picard Sisko]

From what I understand, you do see some NY crowds in the film, but at this point it is to be expected.

 

[Arachnid]

LA premiere tonight

 

[Liam_H]

They had a very long time to make this movie.

 

[Anno_Domini]

Spoiler

youre right. but since i havent seen it, all ive got is - helpful new yorkers do our hero a solid. im hoping it plays differently since the last time was a real issue for me. but its similar nonetheless from the outside looking in.

Spoiler

from the outside looking in (which most of us are right now) its simply more helpful new yorkers who magically show up. not saying it'll play the same, but thats my fear because the other one was such an issue for me.

Spoiler

I'm one of the "outsiders looking in" that is not thinking that the scene will look like what Raimi did at all though. I guess it comes to what someone wants to believe what the situation will be like.

 

[sweetre15]

Josh Wilding's of CBM.com's review

It has been a decade since Spider-Man first swung his way onto the big screen, so is it too soon for another origin story? Perhaps, but Marc Webb delivers a fresh spin on a familiar tale, with only a few déjà vu moments. Comparisons between The Amazing Spider-Man and Sam Raimi’s trilogy are of course inevitable, but it quickly becomes apparent that this is an altogether different take on the character. Here we have a Peter Parker who is haunted by the loss of his parents, and it is this which sets him on a collision course with Doctor Curt Connors (and eventually the Lizard). The story is structured around the two, and so it's a shame that there are a number of plot holes and baffling character decisions which ultimately let the film down. That’s not to say the plot is by any means bad; far from it in fact. The problem is that there are just a few too many unanswered questions left over by the time the credits roll, and while some of these make sense, others will more than likely just leave you feeling frustrated. For example, some of the footage and dialogue from the trailers and TV spots ("Do you have any idea what you really are?") is missing from the film, perhaps explaining why Doctor Ratha isn’t given any sort of proper resolution. Regardless, the reason Connors is attempting to create the serum which ultimately transforms him into the Lizard turns out to be far more than the scientist just trying to regain his lost arm and will bring a very big smile to the face of many a comic book fan. We also spend a lot of time with Peter Parker before he suits up as Spider-Man and get to know the character extremely well. His relationship with Uncle Ben is nicely developed, although the same can’t quite be said for Aunt May. Does she know he’s Spider-Man? If not, she must be incredibly naïve because Peter makes very little effort in hiding it from her. For everything the film does right, the screenplay can’t help but trip itself up with minor niggles such as these, while some may find the lack of answers in The Amazing Spider-Man results in something of an unsatisfactory experience as a standalone film.

Andrew Garfield embodies Peter Parker and Spider-Man perfectly. The British actor does for this character what Heath Ledger did for The Joker, setting the benchmark for which all future actors who portray Peter Parker will now need to live up to. As well as bringing a huge level of likeability to the character, he delivers a wide range of emotions and is entirely convincing as the high school student who gains incredible powers. Rhys Ifans is equally as impressive as Curt Connors and has no issues with portraying both the man of science and a genuinely scary and psychotic villain. It turns out that there is a lot more to him than what has been shown in the trailers and TV spots, and the Lizard is a very fitting choice of villain who, like the Hulk, benefits from being a motion capture creation. Emma Stone is good as Gwen Stacy and like Ifans, she shares a great deal of chemistry with Garfield. Unfortunately, the decision to have Peter reveal his secret identity to her at such an early stage in their relationship makes it feel somewhat unconvincing from that point on. However, a last minute broken promise looks likely to play a big role in a follow-up should they decide go in the direction it seems they are planning to. Martin Sheen (Uncle Ben), Sally Field (Aunt May) and Denis Leary (Captain Stacy) all deliver solid performances, although Irfan Khan’s occasionally hard to understand Doctor Ratha is entirely forgettable and not in the least bit effective as an antagonist. Chris Zylka also surprises as Flash Thompson, with a couple of key scenes adding a lot of depth to a character who was previously portrayed so entirely unconvincingly.

Where The Amazing Spider-Man never falters though is with the visuals. This is a stunning film in every respect and Marc Webb has truly brought these characters to life in the best possible way. Spider-Man looks as if he was torn straight out of the pages of the comics, and the suit is photographed beautifully by the director. The mixture of practical and special effects web-swinging is superb and blends together far more naturally than in the previous films. While The Lizard’s appearance has been a little controversial topic with some fans, he ends up looking absolutely fantastic (apart from a few scenes here and there where the CGI falters slightly) and the decision to use Ifans’ voice and likeness really pays off. However, it is the action sequences which are truly breathtaking, exciting and downright awe-inspiring. The battles between Spider-Man and the Lizard are like nothing we’ve ever seen in a comic book movie before, and are choreographed so perfectly and brutally, you will undoubtedly be on the edge of your seat throughout. Filmed with the RED EPIC cameras, the 3D is as impressive as you would expect, with plenty of objects coming out of the screen and a proper level of depth throughout. It adds a lot to the overall experience and it would be a foolish decision to see it in 2D. It’s just a shame that the much talked about point of view sequences end up being few and far between. While it's good that they never make the mistake of going over the top with them, anyone hoping for more than seconds of seeing through the eyes of Spider-Man might find themselves disappointed.

The Amazing Spider-Man may not be perfect, but they shouldn’t put you off from seeing what is a solid and enjoyable fourth outing on the big screen for arguably the world’s greatest superhero. If they had spent as much time on the story as the stunning visuals, this could have been the perfect Spider-Man movie. As it stands, it’s a solid entry into the comic book movie genre as well as a fresh and exciting new take on the character which will leave you eagerly anticipating the sequel. It also happens to include THE best Stan Lee cameo ever, while a mid-credits scene is a far better way of setting up a follow-up than some of the unresolved plot threads weaved throughout. James Horner's score is extremely effective, while Marc Webb brings with him a sampling of great tunes (as he did with the brilliant (500) Days of Summer). The film features realistic dialogue and some wonderful humour. It's frustrating then that despite all of this, Peter’s powers never seem to be that well explored. Despite a few sound effects, it’s never actually made abundantly clear whether or not he even has spider-sense. Regardless, it would be a great shame for Marc Webb to be blamed for shortcomings such as these, as he is the one who saves the film when it so occasionally stumbles. The visuals he brings to the screen are truly iconic (whether it’s Spider-Man’s many poses or an actual recreation of the image on the first teaser poster) and Webb not returning to helm the sequel would be a real shame.

A slightly flawed but fantastic Spider-Man movie which finally delivers the faithful portrayal of the character fans have waited so long to see. Incredible acting, action and special effects make this a must-see.

4 out of 5 stars ​

​

 

[AbsractPo3tic]

I was really hoping the RT score would be higher at this point.
Hopefully it'll start going up tomorrow if reviews really start pouring in.
Because it's been pretty stationary today.

Not many outlets have released their reviews yet. Hell they're still doing screenings. The guys who work for marvel (comics division not film) just saw it today. Dan slott and Brian bendis tweeted about it. I know a critic here in the DC area just saw it yesterday at a screening. He loved it too. So be patient my man

 

[Picard Sisko]

They had a very long time to make this movie.

2 years has been the standard for most comic book movies though, hasn't it?

 

[Picard Sisko]

Not many outlets have released their reviews yet. Hell they're still doing screenings. The guys who work for marvel (comics division not film) just saw it today. Dan slott and Brian bendis tweeted about it. I know a critic here in the DC area just saw it yesterday at a screening. He loved it too. So be patient my man

What does Brian Michael Bendis think of the movie?

 

[Joe_Kickass]

They had a very long time to make this movie.

But they didn't start pre-production til like 2010. Because Raimi dropped out until 2009 I think.
This was a reboot with an already told origin story. I doubt it would be the best comic book movie ever, and it didn't need to be. Movies like The Avengers had been planned for years and had scripts being written years before it was released. Even the negative reviews aren't saying this is a bad movie, the main complain is that it just has the origin in it again, but they could have chosen to do that for a very important reason.

 

[AbsractPo3tic]

What does Brian Michael Bendis think of the movie?

He said he loved it. He's also interviewing Marc Webb tomorrow on his podcast or whatever he does for anyone interested

 

[Arachnid]

Dan Slott also loved it...loved it so much, he was seeing the 2nd screening right after, back-to-back.

 

[Picard Sisko]

He said he loved it. He's also interviewing Marc Webb tomorrow on his podcast or whatever he does for anyone interested

Sweet. I guess the idea of a reboot didn't bother him too much.